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Induction of Beta Cell Regeneration

In normal adult pancreas, islet beta cells renew and expand slowly
by mitotic activity. In experimental conditions of severe tissue
injury caused by exogenous agents, however, robust regenerative
activity is not observed. Nevertheless, it is possible to induce
and stimulate beta cell regeneration by pharmacological treatment
with growth factors or hormones. This could lead to new forms
of therapy to restore an endogenous functional mass of beta cells
in diabetes patients.

Our research has already led to the discovery of a combination
of agents which induces beta cell regeneration in diabetic mice,
namely epidermal growth factor plus gastrin or ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). We are currently
unraveling the underlying mechanism.